We’re too fussy nowadays.
I want a camera, but I want it to be a phone as well, I want a cool key but I don’t want
to have to turn it in the ignition.
I want an SUV, but I want a coupe as well – and that brings me to the Mercedes GLC
Coupe.
A car originally launched as an SUV, but then thanks to the increasing popularity of cars
like the BMW X4 and Range Rover Evoque, Mercedes thought heck, why not chop a bit off the rear
and smooth things out a bit, give it sport suspension and call it a coupe.
And especially in this sporty AMG Line trim, I do think it looks a lot smarter than the
standard GLC SUV – I should think so too, it’s around £5,000 more for the privilege.
So, let’s take a closer look at this SUV/Coupe concoction.
Now it may be more daring on the outside, but the interior of the GLC Coupe is much
more sensible Mercedes – with a very familiar layout.
You’ve got a few, neatly laid out buttons here, ash wood look trim and a swooshing centre
console.
Quality wise, it is mostly high-end materials, but there are a few cheaper plastics – nothing
major though.
And just on the subject of slight niggles, it does take a bit of time getting used to
using this dual controller system without having to look down at what you’re pressing.
Apart from those little things, this cabin is a brilliant place to spend time, with loads
of classy details, like these self-tightening seat belts, this large TFT instrument cluster
read out, a 360-degree camera and of course, there’s the usual tech like sat-nav, DAB
radio and Bluetooth.
It’s the in-depth menus I really love though – and go for the optional Burmester sound
system and you get loads to play around with.
There’s even some decent storage compartments.
Now with luxury cars, for some people, it’s all about cool yet superfluous features, so
how’s this for you, a removeable fragrance flask that sits in the glovebox and emits
its scent throughout the car.
Mercedes has even thrown in these interior perfume smellies, each one offering a different
mood.
There’s Sports Mood, and Pacific Mood, Downtown Mood and the rather ominous-sounding Nightlife
Mood…
Never underestimate the convenience of five doors in a coupe, and ones that open nice
and wide.
Now even though that roof is dramatically sloped compared to the standard GLC, there
is still enough head room to keep most people comfortable – and leg room is fine as well.
These seats actually fold nice and flat and have a quick release button in the boot.
Unfortunately the boot isn’t as good at hiding the Coupe’s curvy shape and from
the off you get a very high loading lip – much higher than the standard GLC.
You get some useful lockable underfloor storage which is good, and there’s still a good
500 plus litres of boot space, which places it in between the BMW X4 and Evoque.
The GLC Coupe utilises Mercedes’ 4Matic permanent all-wheel drive system, which adds
greater confidence when it comes to traction in the corners rather than inspiring you to
go off-road.
And it really does make the GLC stick in the bends, but a lot of other variables come into
play here too.
You see all GLC Coupes get the stiffened sports suspension, a bummer for those who are after
comfort – however, there is a solution, and that’s the optional Air Body Control
air suspension, which continuously adjusts the dampers to suit the road.
And this sits alongside multiple driving modes, with Comfort loosening things up and Sport
doing the opposite and weighting the steering up.
So, if you’re finding you getting too much body roll – and you will in Comfort Mode
– you can change things up, simple as.
And before driving this I’d heard a lot of people say, “oh you’ve got to go for
the air suspension, if you’re going to buy any optional extra you’ve got to get that”
… and I have to agree with them.
Even with this intelligent air suspension set-up though, the GLC is still not as sporty
to drive as the BMX X4 or Jaguar F-PACE.
It doesn’t feel as keen to change direction and the steering isn’t as communicative.
It’s actually got a weird three-quarter turn lightness to it, a bit like when you
turn a bottle cap halfway, it just seems to suddenly go lighter – not great if you want
to be chucking it about the place.
But this is only really apparent when caning it, which your average driver isn’t going
to do, and day-to-day driving in this is great.
Very easy to manoeuvre, and very nice to drive in general.
Refinement is good all-round too, with the cabin shielding you from wind and road noise
well.
This 250d 201bhp 2.1-litre diesel engine however, which is quite old now, is a bit noisy, and
it’s particularly vocal at lower speeds.
It’s nippy though – 0-62 in just 7.6 seconds, 500Nm of pulling power to blast past people
when overtaking and it accelerates nice and smoothly thanks to its nine-speed automatic
transmission.
That 250d diesel is impressively efficient too, with 50mpg certainly being achievable
and CO2 is quoted at just 143g/km as well.
But running costs isn’t where the GLC is going to bite you.
It’s the options: air suspension £1,500, Premium Plus package which includes a bigger
touchscreen and upgraded sound system £1,800, dashboard leather £400, that fancy glovebox
air freshener £350, the list goes on.
But the same can be said for most luxury German cars.
List price wise though, the GLC Coupe is quite a bit more expensive than, well, most of its
rivals at £41,000, but it’s certainly worth noting that you get a lot for that money,
so before you disregard it as too expensive, price up equivalent specs from rivals – I
think you’ll be surprised.
Now if you want to watch a review of one of the GLC Coupe’s rivals click on the link
here, if you want to see information on GLC Coupe pricing click in the bottom left of
the screen and if you haven’t yet subscribed then click
the subscribe button next to that.